“We Never Endorsed NSA Ribadu As Vice President Shettima’s Replacement” – APC

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Adamawa State Chapter of the  All Progressive Congress APC, on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, vehemently denied claims that it has endorsed the National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu, as Presidential  running mate in the 2027 general elections.

The Source reports that the social media has been awash with news of the speculated endorsement of Ribadu to take over from Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate.

The NSA’s rumoured  endorsement was accentuated by events that unfolded at the APC’s Gombe stakeholders’ meeting, Sunday, June 15, where the party okayed the re-election bid of President Tinubu  without mentioning his Vice President Shettima.

The meeting descended into chaos, following  protestations by a section of the delegates led by Prof Babagana Zulum, the Governor of the Vice President’s State, Borno.

Following the outcome of the Gombe-charged convention, speculations became rife that the President may have settled for Ribadu after being endorsed by the Adamawa APC at its meeting in Hong Local Council of the State last weekend.

But in a statement on Wednesday issued by its spokesperson, Muhammad Abdullahi, the Adamawa APC noted that it never endorsed the NSA for any political position at its recent meeting in Hong Local Government or any other place for that matter.

The Party described the reports of the purported endorsement of Ribadu who hails from the State, as a deliberate mischief and distortion of the true purpose and the outcome of the said Hong meeting.

“The attention of the Adamawa state chapter of the APC has been drawn to a news item circulating in some sections of the media regarding a purported endorsement of Tinubu/Ribadu ticket .

“We wish to State categorically that the reports are entirely misleading and misrepresents the purpose of the meeting held in Hong.

“The stakeholders meeting was part of the party’s ongoing grassroots mobilization tour across Local Government Areas in the State.

“The gathering was organized to strengthen party unity ,reenergize grassroots structures ,and communicate the unanimous decision of the state ,zonal and national leadership of the APC to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office.

“The meeting was held in continuation of our ongoing Local Government tours aimed at mobilizing our members ,and passing down the collective position of the party at all levels– that President Tinubu deserves another four-year term”, the party stated.

However, Abdullahi, while admitting that a vote of confidence was actually passed on the NSA ,who is a worthy son of the State,  cautioned that it should not be misconstrued for an endorsement for any political ambition.

According to the party, there is no basis or justification for endorsing the NSA or any appointee.

“Appointments are made solely at the discretion of Mr President. We, as a party respect that prerogative, and cannot impose, or preempt his decisions”, the APC spokesperson noted.

He insisted that the vote of confidence passed on the NSA was purely in regard of his performance in office as well as his remarkable contributions to National security, and the positive image it has garnered for Adamawa state.

The party, therefore, cautioned against reports that are capable of heating up the polity, through the creation of chaos and division.